Local News

Danville Hosts State Mayors Conference

The City of Danville is hosting the Illinois Municipal League summer conference this week. Upwards of 40-45 mayors are spending four days in Danville.

Mayor Scott Eisenhauer is the current President of the Illinois Municipal League, And the organization's serving-president typically serves as host for the annual conference. Eisenhauer said they've planned this weekend for a long time and the attending mayors are getting a chance to see some attractions in the Vermilion County area . The IML conference runs through Saturday.

Brook, Newton County gains improved ISO Fire rating

Property owners in the Town of Brook and Iroquois, Washington, and Jackson township areas could see their property insurance rates decrease effective July 1st due to the reclassification of the Public Protection Classification of the Brook-Iroquois Township Volunteer Fire Department.

The Insurance Services Office (ISO) conducted a rating review in December of 2012 and has lowered the classification for the Town of Brook from a Class 6 to Class 5; Iroquois Township has gone from a 6/9 to a 5/8B; Washington Township has gone from 9/10 to 8B/10; and parts of Jackson Township have gone from a 9/10 to a 5/8B.

Factors that are reviewed and taken into consideration are water supply, fire department equipment, and fire department training. ISO met with fire department, dispatch, and water department personnel over 3 days in December to determine the new rating.

Brook fire chief Kyle Conrad is pleased with the lowering of the classifications for his fire territory. "This is just one example of how our hard work and financial investment in equipment and infrastructure pays dividends to our community" says Conrad. "This is something for all of us to be proud of".

Property owners should review their insurance renewals that occur after July 1st to verify the new classification is noted on their policy. Those areas outside of 5 road miles from Brook in Washington and Jackson townships may not see any classification change due to their remote location.

The Brook-Iroquois Township Volunteer Fire Department consists of 23 volunteers and serves the Town of Brook, Iroquois Township, Washington Township, and the southern half of Jackson Township.

Iroquois County Board schedules special meeting to fill vacancy on Board of Health

The Iroquois County Board has scheduled a special meeting for Tuesday, July 30th. The meeting announcement refers to an appointment to fill a vacancy on the Ford-Iroquois Public Health Department Board.

The special meeting is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. at the Administrative Center in Watseka. It is open to the public.

The Board of Health has tried operating since March with one less member.

The Iroquois County Board voted then to remove Dr. Alexander Michalow and replace two of Iroquois County's other four board of health representatives. The reason cited was for alleged "neglect of duty." Two of the positions have since been filled, while County Board Rod Copas serves as Iroquois County's other board of health member.

The former members were removed and replaced when they refused to resign when asked by Copas to do so. Copas has said the board of health needs new direction.The board of health includes four members from each of the two counties.

The two county boards have been at odds over the position of health department administrator Doug Corbett. The Iroquois County Board has voted to move for removal of Corbett as administrator.

Neglect, confinement charges filed against Fowler couple

The prosecutor's office in Benton County, IN is further reviewing a case against a Fowler couple accused of neglect of an adult woman in their care.

Several charges were filed against 54-year-old Cheryl Brown and her husband, 60-year-old Gerald Brown. Indiana State Police conducted the investigation after a Lafayette hospital reported the neglect of an adult female who appeared starved and had a bed sore.

The State Police report says the adult female had been tied to a bed to keep her from getting up and moving around, which was reportedly done to keep her from falling down and hurting herself.

State Police said after a thorough investigation, the Benton County Prosecutor's Office reviewed the case and formal charges were filed against the couple on May 29.Cheryl Brown faces charges of: criminal confinement with injuries, a Class C felony; neglect of an adult, a Class D felony; and false informing.

Gerald Brown was charged with false informing, a Class A misdemeanor.

The victim has been moved to an adult care facility and the case is ongoing.